I want to build a custom controller

DJ Gear & Hardware Hardware: Controllers, Mods and Gear
1

I want to build a custom controller

So I want to build a custom controller. Something pretty basic, just a bank of arcade buttons (because they look so goddamn sexy) for stuff like cues and possibly tapping in tempos. I have a pretty good grasp on how to solder things, but I have no idea where I should look to buy parts, or what parts I should look at getting.

tl;dr: Where do I go to buy arcade buttons, and whatever else I would need for a small midi controller with nothing but buttons?

2

hi,
have a look at the UMC32, its basically plug in and play, you just wire up your buttons and pots. Last time I checked they didnt support endless encoders but that might have changed.

http://www.halemicro.com/Products/Products.html

I went down the midibox route but its much much more complicated!

3

also button wise, search for Happ or Sanwa arcade buttons and you should find what you are looking for

4

KG is working on an encoder add on to the product - no date as yet tho.

5

If you’re after a really easy way of doing it then you could go for an ipac:
http://www.ultimarc.com/ipacve.php

Basically its a keyboard encoder used for home arcade machines, so its not midi..

But you can map traktor etc for keyboards anyway - and the best part is its only $35 shipped anywhere.

6

Thanks king, that is exactly what I was looking for. :slight_smile:

I think I’ll get my buttons from right here at DJTT if they have any, just because it is easy and in-reach.

Nicky: If I hat T Pro, that would be amazing, but I’ve just got DUO, which doesn’t allow for keyboard mapping. Thanks though!

7

hey..

I just started myself, customizing my own controller based on the Vestax VCI-100 SE..

Still thinking about the details, engraved frontplate, and maybe 4 channel..
But it´s for my own need, and my own technic..

I will post some info later on here on Techtools, with pics, materials and so on..
Just waiting right now on the components to arrive, from all over the world :slight_smile:
can’t wait to get startet.. :slight_smile:

8

Hey I’d be really interested in seeing more details for this, been thinking of modifying my vci for full 4 deck mixing…

9

Can someone tell me if the joystick connections are analogue on those things. I was wondering if I bought the IPac 54 would I get 16 analogue inputs and hence be able to put 16 pots or faders on to it???

10

Doesn’t look like it.

11

for finding parts I like mouser for pots, sliders, enclosures, regular buttons, ect

http://www.mouser.com/CatalogRequest/MouserCatalog.aspx

the catalog is better than the search

also sold on ultimarc.com is the u-hid (click mini-pac on there and there is a link)

http://www.u-hid.com/

this board works as a hid device and will do 8 analogs + maybe 32 arcade buttons with a few leds
it will show up in windows as a joystick and will need software to convert to midi.

I have a u-hid project that I am almost done with.